Chapter 105: Isn't That... Brainwashing? (1)
The beloved youngest member of the Shine Guild tightly gripped her friend's hand, her eyes fixed on Kim Ki-Rok as he juggled daggers with one hand.
She admired and respected Lee Yeon-Hwa, the representative and Guildmaster of her guild. No sooner had she accepted her Guildmaster's proposal than she witnessed Kim Ki-Rok easily overpower Kang Han-Dan, the next-generation ace of the Golden Lion Guild. She swallowed hard. Now, she had no choice but to clear this Gate under Kim Ki-Rok's orders.
"It'll take about 30 minutes," Kim Ki-Rok said.
What was he talking about?
The up-and-coming aces of each guild, known for their troublesome reputations, tilted their heads in confusion.
At some point, Kim Ki-Rok had added another dagger to his act, now juggling four in one hand, a bright smile on his face. "In 30 minutes, you'll face every monster this Gate has to offer."
A heavy tension filled the air.
"Will you be able to stop them? Yes, you will. That's why we've got Awakened with healing abilities and skilled Hunters to help you hold off dozens, even hundreds of monsters. Of course, we've also built a wall to aid in battle."
The Hunters followed Kim Ki-Rok's pointing finger, turning their heads to see the massive ice wall. It was the same wall that had stunned them with its sheer size when they first entered the Gate.
Kim Ki-Rok casually touched his earpiece. "Hold on a second. Yes, Mr. Seh-Hyuk. Yes, yes. Oh, really? Bring him in. Yes. Alright. Take care."
He tossed another dagger into the mix, now juggling with both hands. "There are 562 in total."
"The monsters we have to fight?" asked one of the Hunters.
"Exactly. You need to subdue all 562 of them."
"But there are only fifty of us..." the Hunter replied.
The team was made up of five Hunters from each major guild, plus ten dispatched by the government. Since many of the government Hunters typically focused on security and intelligence rather than combat, most hadn't even reached Level 50.
"Fifty people taking down 562 monsters? It's doable. That's just eleven monsters each."
Only eleven? Was this man crazy?
"The average monster is Level 53, three above ours," another protested.
"It's possible. You're wearing top-grade gear to level up faster, and you've been buffed."
Easier said than done.
"Sure, it'll be tough, both physically and mentally. You'll have to keep hunting for a long time. But you'll grow fast."
Without considering whether the monsters might be a poor match for the Hunters under his charge, Kim Ki-Rok had secured a Gate teeming with monsters whose levels only slightly exceeded those of his team—a decision made possible with support from the large guilds, the Association, and the government.
Thanks to the strength of Kang Seh-Hyuk and Pegasus Mandong, the group could face dozens or even hundreds of monsters in one place. The level gap was set precisely, where monsters were no more than three levels higher or lower, allowing sealed Skills to be used.
"Today is January 2nd. I will make sure every one of you reaches Level 70 by February 13th."
"Fuck," muttered one of the more hot-headed Hunters.
That meant they'd be battling massive waves of monsters every single day. The Hunters wondered if they would even get to sleep.
***
They had one goal: to clear an S-Class Gate. Day after day blurred together in a relentless cycle of training and raiding, each one dragging them closer to that nearly impossible objective.
"Wait a minute!" Lee Yeon-Hwa, who had just returned from her own Gate raid and was buried in overdue reports, suddenly halted her secretary mid-sentence. "How many did you just say?"
"15 levels."
"You're telling me he raised their average by 15 in a month?"
"Yes."
"Ha, haha..."
Lee Yeon-Hwa was speechless.
It was February 1st, and the average level of the group that was fittingly called "Kim Ki-Rok and the Kids" had reached Level 65. Just how many monsters had they hunted each day to level up once every two days?
"The profits from their Gate runs are also extremely high," the secretary added.
"How does it compare to what they earned before the raid?"
"About fifteen times more than their usual earnings. I thought something seemed off, so I went to check it out myself, and..."
"And?"
"I figured out why."
The secretary described a bizarre scene, where Hunters were battling wave after wave of monsters while Kim Ki-Rok enthusiastically cheered them on from behind. Curses and groans ringing out from every direction because Kim Ki-Rok wasn't even helping with the subjugation. He simply stood there, shouting encouragement.
"There are thirteen days left. About two weeks. Do you think they can make it?" Lee Yeon-Hwa asked.
"At this rate, it is possible."
"I'll have to go and see for myself."
She was curious. She knew they were taking on hordes of monsters at once, but she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.
"So, Kim Ki-Rok and the... ah, hrm." The secretary stumbled over her words, put off by the training project's official name.
"Which Gate are 'Kim Ki-Rok and the Kids' at?"
***
[Demon Realm's Ant Nest]
Difficulty: Levels 63–68
Reward: Stat increase
The reward was listed simply as a stat increase. Given the vague description, it was likely that the type and magnitude of the stat boost would depend on how the Gate was cleared.
"For a Gate supplied by the government, the rewards are surprisingly good," Lee Yeon-Hwa muttered.
She had expected a government-provided Gate to offer little or nothing in return. But it seemed the authorities had high hopes for Kim Ki-Rok and the Kids, and had provided a Gate with solid incentives.
After appraising the Gate, Lee Yeon-Hwa dismissed the hologram and turned away. She had planned to enter the Gate immediately, but upon sensing a familiar mana, she paused, choosing instead to take a little more time examining the Gate details.
"Oh, it's Guildmaster Baek-San."
The Guildmaster of the Baekdusan Guild, one of the major guilds representing South Korea, was making his way toward Lee Yeon-Hwa. Spotting her as well, he quickened his pace.
"Guildmaster Lee Yeon-Hwa, it's been a while."
"Yes. Guildmaster Jang Baek-San, have you been well?"
Both had been tirelessly hunting monsters in their respective Gates, aiming to level up and prepare for a successful Gate clear. But after surpassing Level 90, Gates that offered meaningful progress had become scarce. Even spending entire days hunting yielded little gain. Still, they continued entering Gates, grinding through the monotony.
"Ugh, don't even get me started. It's been a while since I last prepped for a full Gate clear, and it's wearing me out."
Lee Yeon-Hwa laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. Then she turned to Hunter Lee Mi-So, who had arrived with Jang Baek-San. "Looks like you're no longer just a next-generation ace, you're a full-fledged Hunter now, Lee Mi-So."
"You're far too kind, Guildmaster."
Lee Mi-So bowed slightly, answering with quiet confidence, while Lee Yeon-Hwa watched her with pride. Then, turning her attention back to Jang Baek-San, she asked, "Did you come to see them for yourself too?"
"Yes. I heard they raised their average level by fifteen in just a month. It sounded reasonable enough when I heard about it, but I was still curious."
"I feel the same way," Lee Yeon-Hwa replied with a nod.
Together, the three stepped through the Gate, closing their eyes as a burst of bright light engulfed them. As the light faded and they sensed the change in atmosphere, they slowly opened their eyes.
"Dieeee!"
"Die, all of you! Hahahaha!"
"Die, die, die, die! Die!"
From atop the wall, long-range Hunters unleashed a relentless barrage of skills, their attacks raining down like a storm. It was what some might call a classic bombardment.
"Defend!"
"Hold the line!"
"Stack the corpses! Patch the wall before they breach it!"
At the base of the wall where monsters had broken through, melee Hunters swung their weapons with desperate strength, fighting to hold the line.
It would be harder to find a more frenzied hunting scene than what they were currently witnessing. Coming to her senses, Lee Yeon-Hwa looked around for her guild members.
There she was—the youngest of the Shine Guild, once known for being shy and timid, now loosing arrows in rapid succession, one leg confidently braced on the wall.
"Hey, you bastards down there! Hold the line properly!"
Jang Baek-San and Lee Mi-So were just as stunned. Was this really the same timid girl from before?
Jang Baek-San's eyes began to well up as he spotted the infamous trio from the Baekdusan Guild.
"Hold formation! Keep the front line steady!" one of them shouted.
"I'll take over here—fall back and rest!" another yelled.
"We're good! We've got it!"
"I know! That's why I'm telling you to go rest!"
"Fuck! Alright! I'll be back... Just hang in there!"
"Switch out! If you're out of steam, pull back!"
The three of them were holding the front line in perfect sync with other Hunters.
The once-timid trainees had become hardened, active combatants, and the talented but reckless delinquents had turned into Hunters who knew how to apologize to their comrades and understand the meaning of teamwork.
The three visitors, still stunned by the frenzied hunt, turned as a new, out-of-place sound reached them. From behind, Kim Ki-Rok and his Elementals were singing and dancing atop a makeshift stage of giant wooden crates.
"Cheer up~♪ You've got this~♪"
"Use all your strength~♪"
"Hah! Hah!"
As Kim Ki-Rok danced with exaggerated steps and shouted strange cheers, the Elementals mirrored his movements in the air. At the same time, he and the Elementals reached out, clapped their hands together, lowered their microphones, bowed their heads, and then raised them sharply, finishing the performance in perfect unison.
"Ha... Ha..."
"Ha... Ha..."
The man and his Elementals caught their breath, staring straight ahead with fierce intensity, then shared a high-five.
"Good. That was perfect."
"As expected from Representative Kim. You could probably be an idol yourself," Aeple remarked.
"Nah, my face is too plain for that."
"You're right."
"Excuse me?"
"What? You said it yourself. You're too ordinary."
"I'm honestly at a loss for words."
Their brief exchange ended as a new song began to play through the speakers.
From the front lines, the voice of the Shine Guild's youngest cutie rang out, brimming with frustration, "Hey, you brats! Listen up!"
"If we take down all the monsters in thirty minutes, we get a shot at sparring with Kim Ki-Rok! A chance to smash that bastard's smug face in! So move it, you fuckers! Kill them all!"
"ARGHHH!"
Spurred on by her provocation, Kim Ki-Rok and the Kids surged with renewed energy, pushing their hunting pace into overdrive.
After some time had passed, they eventually managed to clear the Gate.
The youngest of the Shine Guild came walking over, chewing loudly on her jerky. "Oh! Guildmaster! Would you like some?"
The once-adorable girl now had the air of a high school bully working over a piece of gum.
She's all grown up, Lee Yeon-Hwa thought.
"Kim Ki-Rok! Keep your promise! This time, I'm definitely sticking my arrow in your forehead!" she shouted.
She had grown up, alright, but her personality had taken a turn for the worse.
Meanwhile, the infamous trio from Baekdusan Guild bowed low to greet Jang Baek-San and Lee Mi-So.
"Hello, Guildmaster," they said in unison.
This was a far cry from the past, when a slight nod was all they'd ever offer to their seniors. Jang Baek-San and Lee Mi-So stared at them, stunned.
"What are you doing?" Jang Baek-San asked.
"Ah, may we raise our heads?"
"Uh... Sure, go ahead."
Only after Jang Baek-San nodded did the trio straighten up.
Gone were their weak, underdeveloped bodies that once relied solely on Skills. Now, the troublesome trio stood with solid frames, muscles well-defined. They looked at their Guildmaster with the eyes of true warriors. Give them swords and shields, strip off their shirts, and it seemed they might shout "Sparta!" without hesitation.
It seems they've developed teamwork... The thought hit their Guildmaster like a stray arrow.
These three, once notorious for refusing to work with others, now fought with a bond forged in battle. They had become warriors who honored camaraderie, willing to throw themselves into the fight, no matter how mad the order.